Lawas agrees to lowering units required from applicants

CEBU, Philippines – Senior Superindent Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Regional Directorial Staff of the Police Regional Office-7, said he personally sees the recommendation of the director of the Philippine National Police to lower the number of subject units needed for police applicants as a good move but needs some amendment.

PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez earlier suggested lowering to 72 units of collegiate subjects the requirement to be able to apply as a policeman considering that other areas in the country lack police recruits.

Lawas said, though, Central Visayas has an excess when it comes to police applicants maybe because of the number of institutions offering criminology courses in the region.

He said that could be good news especially to those who are still studying and are having a hard time supporting their tuition fees.

“Labi na sa mga nag-take criminology course para at least at an early stage, makapangita na sila daan og trabaho,” said Lawas.

However, Lawas said in is opinion, when it comes to promotions, that should be the time a police officer who only finished 72 units will be required to finish a baccalaureate degree since it will also take three to five years before a Police Officer 1 to be promoted to Police Officer 2.

He said he does not see it as a problem since even when they are already in the police service, they are not prevented from pursuing further studies.

“Usa na sa pamaagi to really ensure that all police personnel are really degree holders,” said Lawas.

But as of now, Lawas said the PNP is only accepting those who are degree holders since that is the basic requirement. —/ATO (FREEMAN)